U.K. Still Hasn’t Signed Any Deals for Covid Quarantine Hotels

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Feb 09 2021, 1:06 AMFeb 09 2021, 2:17 AMFebruary 09 2021, 1:06 AMFebruary 09 2021, 2:17 AM

(Bloomberg) -- Boris Johnson’s government has not yet signed any deals with the hotels it will need to quarantine passengers arriving in the U.K., with just a week to go before a new isolation regime comes into force.

The U.K. announced a plan to require all arrivals from coronavirus hot spots to quarantine in hotels from Feb. 15, but has yet to award any contracts for the accommodation, the prime minister’s spokesman said Monday. More details are expected to be set out this week, the spokesman added.

U.K. to Bring in Hotel Quarantine for Travelers From Feb. 15

The aim of the policy is to stop new Covid strains entering the country. Nations on the quarantine list include those where the South Africa variant of the disease is prevalent.

“We have to protect against new variants,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at a press briefing in London. “We’re on track to deliver on stronger border measures by next Monday.”